New traffic rule slammed as motorists claim it will make roads MORE dangerous and could even lead to driver deaths

by ·
Published 2nd September 2018
· Updated 2nd September 2018

Advertisement

New traffic rule slammed as motorists claim it will make roads MORE dangerous and could even lead to driver deaths

The new road rule came into effect on September 1 and will trial for 12 months

Lobby groups are concerned about the road rule, particularly on freeways

Truck drivers and motorcyclists are concerned about the implications on them

|

130shares

47

Viewcomments

A new road rule that requires drivers to slow down to 40km/h when passing emergency service vehicles has been slammed by lobby groups.

The rule, which came into effect in New South Wales yesterday, means that drivers will need to slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles flashing their blue and red lights.

Motorists also need to give way to any person on foot near a parked emergency vehicle flashing its lights, according to the rule.

Failure to do so could result in a fine of £448 and three demerit points.

The rule, which is in a 12-month trial period, does not apply to drivers who are on the other side of the road – if they are separated by a median strip.

But lobby groups are concerned about the wider implications of the road rule, particularly on freeways where speed limits are markedly higher than 40 km/h.

Steve Pearce, Chairman of the Motorcycle Council of NSW, told Sydney Morning Herald[1]: ‘By suddenly reducing the speed limit on a major carriageway to 40km/h we are effectively swapping the safety of emergency workers for the safety of ordinary motorists.’

He said this could lead to rear end collisions.

Motorcycle Council members have ‘almost unanimously’ voiced there concern about the rule, as a rear end collision could result in a fatality for them.

Richard Calver, Adviser on Compliance for the National Road Transport Association, told the publication that trucks have a harder time slowing down.

Mr Calver said: ‘We’re saying if you’re coming around a corner and you only see the emergency vehicle at that point in time, then it might not be practicable for a heavy vehicle to decelerate to 40km/h as it passes.’

‘But as long as they’re decelerating, then they’ve done the right thing.’

The rule, which came into effect yesterday, means that drivers will need to slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles flashing their blue and red lights (stock image)

But lobby groups are concerned about the wider implications of the road rule, particularly on freeways where the speed limit is generally 110km/h (stock image)

However the organisation supports the trial, if there are changes made before it comes law.

Road Freight NSW also believes there should be distinction between light and heavy vehicles.

Bernard Carlon, executive director of the NSW Centre for Road Safety, said the intention is to protect emergency services and that drivers should always slow down when they see the flashing lights.

He said drivers need to take into account the road conditions.

In South Australia there is a similar law, introduced in 2014, but drivers need to slow to 25km/h.

Victoria introduced the law in July 2017, but there penalties include a lesser fine and there is no loss of demerit points.

Truck drivers and motorcyclists are concerned about the implications on them (stock image)